My Secrets to Lap Band Success~

As I continue through this journey to good health and an appropriate body weight, I am asked often, “How have you done it?” –

I have several friends who have the Band and have not been successful.  In fact, they have not done well at all.  It just serves to remind me that the Lap Band is probably the toughest WLS available.  You have to be in tune with your body and it’s signals.  You can easily bypass the Band and actually gain weight.  This is sad, but true. 

Here are the rules that I’ve followed since getting Banded in 2008.  Some of these are things that have worked well for me and I’ve adopted them from advice from my doctor and other successful Banders.  Please remember to always follow the advice of your own doctor when it comes to living the Lap Bander’s Life. 

 These are my secrets to my success.

1.  Eat my protein first.  (I have to admit, I haven’t always done this.  But it’s a rule that absolutely must be followed IF I want to get adequate protein in my diet.)

2.  Don’t drink while eating - wait 60 mins post-meal.  (Some doctors suggest waiting 30 mins. after your meal, some others suggest 60 mins.  I wait 60 mins.  Some other doctors suggest not drinking for 30 mins prior to eating.  I haven’t followed this rule because I see no sense in it.  I drink all I want prior to starting my meal and then nothing until 60 mins after my last bite.)

3.  Eat 60-80 grams of protein each day.  (Eating my protein and getting in 60-80 grams keeps me satiated longer.  It also helps with cravings.  My goal is to “eat” my protein and not “drink” it.  Many Banders supplement their protein intake with protein drinks.  I do not.  I lose weight faster if I’m actually eating my protein and not drinking it.  Remember the Lap Band works best with solid foods.  It really does nothing to keep you satiated or decrease your portion control with fluids.)

4.  Keep a food journal.  (The Internet is loaded with great Food Journal sites.  Find one you like and use it.  I use www.fitday.com.  I log everything I eat.  I do mean everything.  If I eat a pat of butter on my steamed veggies, I log it.  I log my calcium chews. — This keeps me on top of what I am actually eating.  In my mind, I may think, I’ve eaten less than I have.  For example, I work night shift.  At midnight, I start logging on the next day’s journal.  So far today I’ve eaten 1285 calories.  However, in my mind, I have really not eaten much.  It’s easy to forget those meals that I consumed hours and hours ago.  Logging keeps me honest.)

5.  Keep myself hydrated.  Drink 8 - 8oz glasses of water or more. (I have noticed if I am dehydrated, my Band seems to be tighter.)

6.  Take small bites and chew my food well.  (Remember the stoma from your upper pouch to your lower stomach is the size of a dime or smaller.  If I eat fast and take big bites without chewing well, I block the stoma and have difficulties.  Sliming, PB’s and discomfort has occurred.  Slime once and you won’t want to do it again!)

7.  Eat a variety of foods.   (I take issue with some Banders who feel it’s important to totally eliminate certain foods from their diets.  I know Banders who haven’t eaten fruit since being Banded, because of the carbs.  Our bodies need good carbs.  Our bodies need the nutrition found in fruit and veggies.  If you can’t eat something because it gets stuck, i.e. unpeeled apples, tomato skins, grape skins - then I understand avoiding those foods or altering them - I do have to peel my apples.  But I do not purposely avoid any nutritious foods - just because I’m Banded.  I do admit that when I have hit a plateau in the last year and a half, I have returned to my pre-op diet to get the scale moving again.  My pre-op diet was protein and veggies only.  NO carbs.  I do this for 10 days, lose 10 lbs or more and my plateau has been broken and I’m back on the losing end.)

8.  Do some kind of activity each AND every day.  (I have a recumbent bike and I ride that bike everyday.  If I only have 20 mins before having to shower for work, then I ride for 20 mins.  If it’s my day off, I go to the pool, swim laps and workout upstairs with weights.  This is the biggest change since being Banded.  I am now active.  I admit, if my routine is interrupted by an out of town trip or pulling extra shifts at the hospital - it is extremely difficult for me to get back on track with my workouts.  BUT at the same time, I have found that I miss them - when I’m away too long.) 

9.  Weigh myself everyday.  (This I do without fail.  Currently, my scale is broken and I’ve had to weigh at the gym and at work!  I can’t wait to be able to weigh at home again!  I never again want to go weeks or months or as I previously did, YEARS without weighing.  It is so easy for your weight to creep up on you without noticing, if you’re not weighing yourself regularly.)

10.  Get my fills and adjustments as needed.  (If I’m eating a good nutritious meal and feeling hungry in less than 5 hours - then I know it’s time for an adjustment.  I have been fortunate to have very few fills.  But if I need one, I’ll get it.  The Band doesn’t work without the fills.  If for some reason I am not able to get an adjustment due to my schedule, I’ll eat my 3 small meals and 2 small snacks.  Adding a handful of almonds or a piece of fruit between my meals - if I get hungry early, helps me from gaining weight while waiting to get the time for a fill.)

11.  Stop eating when I get my “soft stop.” (My “soft stop” is a runny nose.  When I’m eating and my nose runs, I stop eating and I’m good.  It’s difficult for me to stop sometimes when the food is really good.  Sometimes, I wrap it up and eat it later. 

I have had some people tell me I am obsessed.  Perhaps, I am.  But when I started this journey I was Super Morbidly Obese, my BMI was over 65!  I’d yo-yo diet and always gain the weight I had lost plus more back.  I was done.  I knew in my heart that I had to make changes.  So if logging my food everyday, weighing myself everyday, eating only good whole grain carbs and avoiding the simple carbs, watching my protein and fat intake is obsessive, then I accept that label.  It’s worked.  I have lost over 67% of my excess weight and am currently on the last 100lbs.  I am in Twoderville and loving it!  I’m looking forward to Onederland!  My first phase of plastic surgery is scheduled and I’m starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Life has improved greatly for me.  I find myself tearing up when I see an old picture of myself.  I remember the physical and emotional pain of living that life and I know without a doubt I never want to return to that place again. 

The Lap Band has changed my life! 

This journey has been a blessing!

August 27, 2009 | Filed Under Assistance on your journey

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Going through withdrawals~

My scale broke!  I guess, 19 months, weighing 3 to 4 times a day, was too much for it to handle!  Now, it weighs me 4 or 5 different amounts and then just blanks out!  It’s tired.  Exhausted.  Done!

AND I am going through major withdrawals!  I have to use the one at the pool.  It’s great, BUT it’s at the pool and I’m not able to just jump on it when I wake in the morning!  I can always weigh at work!  Unfortunately, I am fully dressed at work!  And it’s in the hall so it’s not really feasible to strip down to my undies to get a more accurate weight! 

I ordered a new one.  I’m waiting.  But NOT patiently.

Hurry Scale Hurry!!!

August 26, 2009 | Filed Under My Everyday Life

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Unexpected Tears~

Yesterday afternoon I was at the Vitamin Cottage picking up some chewable multi-vits when I saw this young woman. She was Morbidly Obese and she reminded me of the old Dee.  Her hair was beautifully styled.  She was dressed in a nice outfit.  It was obvious that she took time to make herself presentable.  As I looked at her face and made eye contact with her, my heart sank.  I had to look away.  Tears filled my eyes and I got this huge lump in my throat.  I saw in her face, my old life.  I felt her pain and I couldn’t help but react.  I knew that feeling of going out and wanting to look like everyone else.  Wanting to look presentable. Wanting to be accepted.  But yet, feeling ugly and like an outcast.  Her expression spoke volumes to me of the past - the past that I experienced day in and day out for so many years.  The pain of carrying the extra weight - and the agony of carrying the burden of a heavy heart. 

I cried.

August 22, 2009 | Filed Under My Everyday Life

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My New Addiction~

It is very addicting to see the scale moving in the right direction!  When I am around temptation, I am not even tempted.  Staying on my plan is becoming a way of life - because my new addiction is watching that scale go down… I Love It!

August 18, 2009 | Filed Under My Everyday Life

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I’m loving my scale!

On Wednesday, August 5th, I started my challenge to follow the Bander rules and keep my focus. I am preparing for my plastic surgery in December and I would like to be as close to goal as possible.

Things are working out really well. 

This week, I’ve lost 9.2lbs!  It’s unbelievable!  I’m diligently watching my intake and working out as much as possible.  The scale is moving to new numbers I haven’t seen in many many years!

August 17, 2009 | Filed Under My Everyday Life

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